Bonus chapter:

Three years dragged by slowly and steadily, but each year and each moment of it was heaven on earth for Louisa waking up to the sight of the man she loved and had chosen.

Their numerous storms of passion never died—it only burned worse. Every reassurance alongside watching their son grow and hit exciting milestones was all she knew she needed.

Everything still felt like yesterday when it all began, even now as she sat in the doctor's office, hands pressed tight on her lap as she watched the woman settle into her seat behind the desk.

She just needed confirmation that she hadn't seen wrong on the pregnancy test strip some hours ago in her bedroom.

“You are sixteen weeks along, Mrs. De Luca. The baby’s gender will be confirmed during the scan.”

Her heart slammed against her chest as she froze in her seat with heat pooling in her veins despite the air conditioner.

That test strip was right after all, a single delay in taking her contraceptives had her knocked up.

When she drove back home that evening, she sat behind the car’s wheel for several minutes staring at Alessandro’s car in the driveway.

He was back.

He always came home as soon as he could. Several times he’d look all ruffled up, several times he came home irritated and despite not hiding any of that, he’d done his best keeping her at arm’s length from whatever was going on around him on the other side of his life.

“Welcome ma’am”

The new elderly Nanny greeted her at the door.

The living room had all sorts of toys, stuffed plushies, and consoles littered across the floor. Louisa stepped in, with her feelings threatening to swallow her whole.

“Where’s Raniero?” She asked.

“He went up with Sir Alessandro.” The woman replied and got to work packing up the toy mess.

Louisa dragged herself up the stairs of the quiet villa with a sick chill running down her spine as every moment drew close to when she’d spill the news to Alessandro and how she couldn't bring herself to be excited about it.

Once she turned the knob and stepped into the bedroom, Raniero sat with crossed legs on the bed as his little fingers knotted Alessandro’s tie.

“My love,” Louisa called with a small smile.

“Mama?” His cheeks bloomed red as he hopped off the bed and straight into her arms—it was quick, that she almost stumbled backwards with a laugh except for the cold hand that came down on her waist to keep her steady.

She looked up behind her to find Alessandro in just a plain white towel wrapped low on his waist, the scent of his soap arousing her senses.

“Careful.” He said quietly.

Then she looked back at her son. His dark curly hair fell full along his forehead as he fluttered his long lashes, his sharp little jaw widening when he smiled at her. He was a beautiful boy, the exact copy of her husband.

“Will Mama kiss me goodnight tonight?” His small voice came.

“Only if you go help your Nanny pack up those toys…”

He was out of her arm before she could complete the words and out of the door.

She sighed.

“He really wants that goodnight kiss.” Alessandro chuckled lowly.

“You know I'd never deny him that,” she replied and turned to fully stare at him, her fingers moving up to trace lines along his chest.

“You know what this does to me, Dolcezza.” He rasped and reached down to nibble softly at her neck.

She slowly closed her eyes to savour the coolness of his touch, it could as well calm the fright building in her but subtle flashes of the past kept her on edge.

“I know it affects you just well enough for me to get knocked up.”

He paused and calmly pulled back to stare at her face, finally noting the way her lips trembled.

“You don't look fine, Dolcezza.”

She hesitated for a second too long before taking a deep breath. “I'm pregnant.”

He stilled for a beat, his hand reaching to run through his hair as his jaw ticked lightly. “How far along?”

“The doctor said sixteen weeks” Her voice broke. “Isn't that about four months? How did I not know that?”

“Come on baby, we won't keep it if you aren't ready” He pressed a kiss to her lips, his voice firm. “Just know you won't be alone this time, I'm right here.”

A tear slid down her cheek. “It's just scary having to relive that trauma again, I still flinch when there’s a thunderstorm so how do I carry another baby to term?”

His hand cupped her jaw as he wiped off the tears from her cheek. “If you don't want it…”

“I do!” she slammed a fist into his chest. “Don’t let the baby hear you say that, what kind of parent does that make us?”

He snorted. “The baby is yet to develop ears.”

“You’ll be safe and I won't let anything happen to you.”

“Just hug me, Alessandro”

He sank into one of the couches and pulled her down onto his legs. “A daughter would be perfect for us.” He murmured as she scrambled up against his chest so he could hold her.

“There’s no scan yet” She whined, her face shakily dropping into the crook of his neck.

“But I know it. She’ll be well protected” His hands ran up her back in a comforting embrace. “And there will be no trauma this time.”